Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Promising in a decent maiden at Newmarket on debut, CHILEAN (best price 9-1) clearly learnt plenty from that initial experience as he ran out quite an impressive winner next time out and although this represents a much stiffer examination on paper, he has the quality to prove equal to the task. Switching from soft ground on turf to Chelmsford’s polytrack nine days ago, Martyn Meade’s inmate posted a smart speed figure in beating five useful rivals with a bit to spare and having the size and scope to progress to even greater highs further down the line, the son of Iffraaj should at least acquit himself with plenty of credit despite his position in the market suggesting otherwise.

As you’d expect in these big, straight track handicaps at the Berkshire venue, a wide open heat with a multitude of imponderables, but both SQUATS (best price 13-2) and MJJACK (best price 8-1) have proven course form on soft ground and are taken against the field. Fourth in this race last year, the former has been a bit of a disappointment in the interim period, but he burst back into life in no uncertain terms at Newbury two starts ago with his favoured give underfoot and on the evidence of that performance alone, he would have first-rate credentials here this afternoon. Hugely unlucky when all dressed up with nowhere to go at Chester last week, William Haggas’ inmate hardly had a race on the Roodee and with connections seeking to gain revenge as soon as possible, it’s easy to see why he’s turned out again quickly while clearly in the rudest of health.

The latter went off an unconsidered 25-1 poke in a similar contest to this one here last time out and for a large chunk of that valuable handicap, Karl Burke’s charge looked the most likely winner. The way he travelled throughout suggested he’s got a pretty high cruising speed on soft ground and if it wasn’t for the pesky Stamp Hill, lit up in the first-time blinkers, he would have run out a comfortable winner. Only up 4lb for that sterling effort and racing on his favoured soft ground, the strapping son of Elzaam is a must for any shortlist.

Although RAKE’S PROGRESS (best price 18-1) ran perfectly respectably over today’s course last time out, the ground probably wasn’t soft enough for Heather Main’s inmate, but with much more suitable underfoot conditions looking set fair here this afternoon, he’s expected to put up another bold show. Impressive both visually and on the clock the time before at Newbury, the son of Sir Percy certainly didn’t lack for stamina and guts that day and with the size and scope to keep improving with each run, there’s a good chance he will punch above his weight and price expectation.

RIYAZAN (best price 10-3) could have done with a better draw, but he’s by far and away one of the most promising runners in today’s field, so a chance is taken he can overcome that slight impost. One of the golden rules of the turf is if Micky Halford has a first-time out winner – similar to Sir Michael Stoute – they must be pretty useful, so it’s no great surprise to see connections taking a huge step forward on just his second start. The way he travelled before quickening on demand at the Curragh suggests he’s got a very smart engine and with a physique that should enable him to make up into a lovely three-year-old, this race provides a nice stepping stone towards what will hopefully turn out to be a fruitful campaign next season.

CORINTHIA KNIGHT (best price 11-2) left the useful Mokaatil completely for dead with a display of raw speed at Wolverhampton last time out and if he can just contain some of that pace for today’s extra furlong, he could easily turn out to be a slippery opponent for some highly-regarded rivals here this afternoon. Although he hasn’t been disgraced in each of his three starts on the grass, it looks like he’s a totally different colt altogether when allowed to run on an all-weather surface (3-3) and having already scored by seven lengths on his only start at today’s track back in April, that course knowledge – albeit on the inside 5f shoot - along with a decent inside draw should give him a little edge over the rest.

MISTRESS QUICKLY (best price 10-1) has run to a pretty high level when there’s been plenty of give underfoot and with conditions set to be very much on the easy side thanks to plenty of rain in the last 24 hours, Ralph Beckett’s filly looks primed to go well. Having her third run in as many weeks at the Berkshire venue when last seen, the daughter of Kodiac scored in pretty comfortable fashion after quickening up quite nicely two out (Melinoe and St Mary’s both won since) and now bought back with very much an Autumn, soft ground campaign in mind, she has the ideal opportunity to start the ball rolling again.

Undone by the draw more than anything else here last time, PHALABORWA (NAP) (best price 4-1) is fancied to get back on track returning to the scene of that fine effort in defeat 17 days ago. Very good on the numbers at Wolverhampton the time before, Ed Vaughan’s three-year-old brought excellent form credentials into the fillies’ only handicap at the Surrey venue, but the fact that she had to work very hard to get over from her outside stall position in the early stages ultimately prove costly in the final reckoning. She did, however, display admiral battling qualities even though her petrol tank was right at the bottom of the barrel at the furlong pole and providing she can get some cover and be ridden with a little more restraint this afternoon, the daughter of Poet’s Voice has every chance of getting the winner’s garland back around her neck.
 

Take super filly Winter out of the equation and there isn’t too much to separate the rest on form, so with that in mind, WUHEIDA (best price 9-1) makes the most appeal as the value bet without the favourite. A smart and promising two-year-old, Charlie Appleby’s inmate unfortunately had to miss the early part of the campaign due to a stress fracture to her right hind leg, so it was good to see her straight back into the fold with her excellent effort when runner-up to the race-fit Roly Poly in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket back in July. Tried over 1m 3f in the German Oaks last time out, the daughter of Dubawi travelled like the best filly until her stamina just ebbed away on the soft ground in the latter stages, but now returning to a more suitable trip, one can expect this classy filly to run much better than her odds suggest.